Hydrodrome



Nov. 18, 1924' F. w. BALDWIN HYDRCDROME Filed May 14. 1921 A TTOHNEYS l Patented Nav. 18.192,4.

FREDERICK w. BALDWIN, or'iaannncx, Nova soofrmhcANADA.

mmaonaomn Application mea my 14, 1921.. serial in. 469,725.

To` all whom t may conce/m.'

Be it known that I, FREDERICK W. WIN, a subject of the Kin of Great Britain, -and a resident of Bad eck, Nova Scotia,

Canada, have invented new and useful Improvements in Hydrodromes, which inventi'on is fully set forth in the following speciication.

The invention relates to hydroplane boats of the submer ed hydrofoil type.

Vessels of t e submerged hydrofoil type are more comparable to heavier-than-air ying machines than to balloons and are sharply di'erentiated from displacement vessels by the fact that, when. in motion,

heavier thanthe water they displace. They have the same sortvof advantage over the ordinarydisplacement vessel (the lighter-thanwater craft) that the heavier-than-air flying machine has over the ordinary balloon (the lighter-than-air vessel). Ordinary displacemerit vessels displace their own weightvof the medium through which they move, whereas vessels of the present type weigh a great deal more than the water displaced by the submerged hydrofoils. The greater the weight sup orted by the submerged hydron foils and the less the weight of water displaced bythese hydrofoils, the less the retarding effect of chine and the greater the uniformspeed ythat can be maintained and the smoother the motion of the machine.

' While machines of this character have proved very successful on sutliciently large scale to be highly desirable for naval and other purposes, there is a demand for increased transportational capacity greater .than any machine that has heretofore vbeen built is capable of meeting.

The heavier-than-air and heavier-thanwater machines both present the same engineering difficulties as the size of the machine is increased. The lift'of the supporting'surfaces in both types increases only as the second power of the linear dimensions,

the weight increases as the third power of linear dimensions.

This fundamental law imposes a limit on the size of the machine with a given weight per unit of motive power, whether of the heavier-than-air or heavier-than-water type, which, while it can be avoided to a certain BALD- ed to a train.

they arel -which is utilized as a rudder.

whereasconstruction or extent by more complicated cannot be overa reduced factor of safety,

come. v v

The'object of the present invention is to provide a device the effectiveness of which will not be diminished as its size is lincreased; and particularly to provide a device of the character described which may be readily enlarged to any desired size' in much the same way as additional coaches are add- With this object in view, the preferred embodiment of the inventive idea is to provide a hydrodrome car comparable to a locomotive which is supported when in motion by a plurality of sets of hydrofoils. This locomotive carries the motor which is preferably of a type for a water-drive. To the locomotive there is coupled one 'or more hydrodrome cars, each of which is supported by 'a pluralityof sets of hydrofoils. On the forward or locomotive car, there is provided a hydrofoil set, mounted on a vertical axis', It has been found from actual tests that the severalhydrodrome cars which are drawn by the locomotive track perfectly; and this is particularly apparent and of importancewhen a turn Ais being made. By the mounting of these cars onhydrofol sets, there is no tendencyv of the cars to swing; vand the device of the present invention as does a railroad train on its rails.Y

A. large number of these cars may be connected in series to attain these desirable ends, with the result that head resistance,

structural strength and weight may be cut down to a minimum without any sacrice of efficiency or safety. Further, vthe cars are of such size that they may be `readil transported overland by railroad, place waters of an inland river and sent on their journey without delay. This is of importance in connection with troop transport, for example, inasmuch ent devicetroops or merchandise can be moved by water at a speed of sixty or more miles per hour. Thev minimizing of head resistance and the fact that only the lowermost ofthe hydrofoil blades are submerged make it possible to transport great weights at high speeds with the ex enditure 'of only a fraction of the power t tracks as perfectly' on the as by the use of the presicov at would be necessary in displacement craft. Further, the connection between the cars being of the universal type, the individual cars have a freedom of movement in a lateral and vertical direction.

Thevhydrofoil blades are only about six inches n extent in a fore and aft direction and may be spaced at a ratio of 80-1, though tion, there is a. gain by increased length be-V cause no more head resistance is involved, and therefore the total resistance is lessthan directly proportional to the load carried.

The invention will be better understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein are shown two expressions of the inventive idea, and wherein- A Fig, 1 is a side view of the complete train made up of a series of connected cars;

2 is a plan view of the same;

Fig. 3 is a front elevation;

F ig. 4 illustrates a modification;

G. 5 is a cross-section on the line 5 5 of Fig. 4. ferring to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals indicate like parts, indicates a hydrodrome, or locomotive car as herein designated, supported by two sets of hydrofoils 11 and 12. Each set of hydrofoils is composed of a plurality of struts 13 suitabl connected to the car body, these struts having-.the hydrofoil blades 14 connected thereto in any usual or desired manner. Preferably, the struts on each side of the car are inclined rearwardly and outwardly from the car body, so that the hydrofoil blades on one side of the car will be a at a dihedral angle with respect to those on the other side.

The car 10 carries the power equipment for driving the device. Any suitable or desireddrive may be employed, but I prefer to use awater-propeller 15 mounted on the lower end of a rearwardly and downwardly inclined shaft 16 suitably supported from the under side of the car. The upper end of this shaft is provided with a suitablel pinion 17 which meshes with the under face of a large horizontal gear 18. This horizontal gear is preferably carried by a series of ball or roller bearings. Power is applied to the horizontal gear from a series of motors 19 of which any'desired number may he employed. As here shown, five motors 19 are provided. 0n the end of each motor shaft 20 is mounted a bevel gear 21 that meshes with teeth on the upper face of the horizontal gear 18. It will thus be seen that the power of the motors is readily and simply transmitted to the propellers v through this connection.

Connected to the locomotive car 10 by any suitable connection is a series of trailer cars 22, 23, 24. As here shown, three trailers are provided but it will be understood that more or less may be used dependent upon the particular needs of the occasion. Each of the trailers is supported by a plurality of hydrofoil sets such as the sets with which the locomotive car is provided, with the distinction, however, that the hydrofoil sets of the trailer cars are fixed in position whereas the forward sets 11 of the locomotive car are pivoted on a vertical axis 25, so that they may be used as a steering device. Steering rod and steering wheel 25 are preferably utilized.

The preferred connection between the lo-- comotive car 10 and the trailer 22, and between the several trailer cars, is a universal joint 26, so that the cars may have some independent freedom of lateral and vertical movement.

The arrangement of the hydrofoil sets beneath the several cars is such as to provide the necessary'support for the load to be carried, and the fore and aft spacing of the successive sets is such as to avoid all hydrodynamical interference.

It has been experienced that a device of this character will track as perfectly as a railroad train on its rails, due to the re sistance to lateral displacement which is afforded by the' struts and the inclination of the hydrofoil blades. This is of primary importance and is particularly noticeable when the device is making a turn in the bends of a river.

In Fig. 4 there is shown a modification of the inventive idea, wherein a single elongated car l0 is employed, this single car being used to carry not only the motor equipment but the passengers, cargo, and thc like. In this device, the car is supported by a plurality ofhydrofoil sets 27, 28, 29, 3l) and 31, suitably spaced in a fore and aft direction. Preferably, in this construction,

.the steering is effected by means of the bow sets of hydrofoils 27 and the rear sets 31 are fixed. It will, however, be understood that the steering might be effected by means of the rear sets 31, in which event the bow sets would be fixed and the rear sets pivoted. The intermediate sets 28, 29 and 30 are each pivoted on a vertical axis and are entirely free to move on their axes which are preferably in advance of the center of resistance of the hydrofoil sets which normally preserves their fore and aft direction with respect to the line of advance of the machine. Preferably, each set 28, 29 and 30 is independently pivoted as shown in y in the direction in Fig; 5. As there shown, set 28 is pivoted at 28 and set 28 at 28". Unless these intermediate sets were free to move in this manner, it would be practically impossible to steer the craft.

In addition to this advantage of a freely pivoted hydrofoil set, it is pointed out that such a freely pivoted set may be effectively used as a landing device for a fiying ma? chine. It frequently happens that, in landing, the machine in the 'air will be moving bodily in a certain direction, but `(onaccount of the wind) will be headed away from its general direction of travel relative to` the water. Under these` conditions, when the machine alights the tendency ofv the water (if the hydrofoils are fixed) will be to overturnthe machine. By equipping the machine with a freely pivoted hydrofoil set, when the machine alights this set will turn whichv the craft is movingon the. water, with the result that the craft will be permitted to safely vskid and not overturn. Preferably, with such a construction I em lo a light tension-spring tonormally hol t e set in the fore and aft direction, but leaving it free to move under pressure.

It will be observed that, in this modification, the matter cf distributed support is the primary consideration as islthe case with the embodiment shownin the other figures. lt will'also be noted that the length of span between the supporting hydrofoils is not increased as the length of the craft is made greater.

The preferred form of the device, as heretofore indicated, is that shown in Figs. 1.-3 inclusive, in whiclnin addition tothe advanta es ennumerated, there is-from the point Vofg view of the passengers-an absence of vibration, safety from fire, sinking and collision. Further,` as a commercial proposition, this form. has the advantage that only as many cars may be used on any particular occasion as thenumber of passerers or load to be carried requires.

hile, for the purpose of clearness, two embodiments of the inventive idea have been herein shown and described in considerable detail, it is to be understood that the in vention is not limited to this construction but that the inventive idea is susceptible of other expressions withinthe limits of the appended claims.

What is claimed is 1. A device of the class described comprising, in combination, a locomotive hydrodrome car, one or more trailer cars connected in series to said hydrodrome car, and a hydrofoil set adjacentone end only of each of said trailer cars for supporting nthe latter when in motion.

2. A device of the class described comprising, inv combination, a 'locomotive hydrodrome car, one or more trailer cars connected in series to said hydrodrome car, and a hydrofoil set adjacent the rear end only of each of said trailer cars for supporting the latter when in motion.

3. A device of the class described comprising, drome car, a plurality of trailer cars, universal joint means for connecting said trailer cars in series to said hydrodrome ca r, and a plurality of hydrofoil setssecured to the train of cars at substantially equal longitudinall spaced intervals for supporting said 'cars W en in motion.

4. A device of the class described comprising, in combination, a locomotive car, one or more trailer cars, universal joint means for connecting said trailer cars in series to said locomotive car, aeplurality of h drofoil sets rigidly secured to the train o cars at substantlally equal longitudinally spaced intervals, and a hydrofoil set pivotally secured to said locomotive car. p

5. A device of the class described comprising, in combination, a locomotive hydrodrome car, a plurality of trailer carsconnected in series to said locomotive car, and hydrofoil sets for supporting said cars when in motion, the lforward end of each trailer car being supported by its connection with the forwardly ad'acent car.

6. A device o the class described comrising, in combination, a locomotive hydrorome car, a plurality of trailer cars, means connecting said trailer cars in series to said locomotive cars, and hydrofoil sets for suporting said cars when in motion, said sets ein longitudinally spaced at substantially equa intervals to avoid hydrodynamical interference.

7. A device of the class described comprising, in combination, a locomotive hydrodrome car, hydrofoil sets for su porting said car when in motion, one of sai sets being pivotally mounted for steering purposes, one or more trailer cars connected in series to said locomotive car, hydrofoil sets secured to said trailer cars, the between any two adjacent sets of hydrofoils being substantially7 equal to the distance between the hydrofoil sets of17 the locomotive car.

8. A device of the class described comprising, .in combination, a locomotive hydrodrome car including a water drive mounted thereon, one or more trailer cars connected. in series to said locomotive car, -hydrofoil sets for supportin said cars when in motion, the fore anda spacin of the successive sets being such as to avoid hydrodynamical interference.

9. A devicev of the character described comprising,in combination, a locomotive hydrodrome car, one or more trailer cars connected 1n series to said locomotive car, and

in combination, a locomotive hydroy longitudinal distance Ahydrofoil sets for suppor-tin said cars when in motion,

Vthe fore and a t the successive sets being such as to avoid hydrodynamical interference, and each of d said sets comprising two series of superimposed blades character described, body, three or more sets of hydrofoils for supporting the same l0 when in motion,

said sets being arranged in spacing of series one behind the other and longitudinally spaced at equal intervals to avoid hydro dynamical interference, a hydrofoil set pivoted to said body adjacent one end thereof for steering purposes, and a water-drive for 15 propelling the device. Y

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification. l 

